Well drilling and reaming tool



Nov. 21, 1939.

F. F. HODGES WELL DRILLING AND REAMING TOOL Filed Afig. 28, 1957' fl'kansffiba as,

ENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 21, 1939 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE:

1 Claim.

This invention relates to well drilling and reaming tools of the character especially designed for use in sinking bored-well casings or tubes.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a combination well drill and reamer which shall be simple in construction and durable and efiicient in use, and by means of which the tube and case drilling operations may be conveniently performed and the main drilling operations carried on without the use of separate tools for each operation.

Another object of the invention is that while it provides a combination reamer and drill, by inversion of the same it may be used as a pipe or casing puller.

With the above primary objects in view the invention may be readily understood from a perusal of the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, and in said drawing:

Figure 1 represents an elevational view of a reamer and drill, embodying the invention, parts thereof being broken away, the tool being shown in a well bore, with the casing, in section, shown moved to position in line with the cutting of the reamer bits,

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, the tool being turned one quarter around,

Figure 3 represents a longitudinal sectional view of Figure 2, the view being had on the line 33 of said figure, the broken lines representing the active and inactive positions of the reamer bits,

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view, on the line 4-4, of Figure 3, and

Figure 5 shows a section of a short piece of drill stem, which when the drill bit is not used serves to provide a plug to close the end of the body where the drill bit ordinarily fits.

Referring more particularly to the drawing the tool which is termed the combination reamer consists of a main body I, with diametrically reduced portions 2 and 3. Wrench spaces provide at 4 and 5 means for afiixingto upper and lower ends of the tool the respective pipe or drill sections 6 and drill bit 8, whereby the drill bit may be screwed into position and tool set in the string.

The central portion of the tool or reamer is enlarged at l as stated, recessed at l and II, the recesses converging at the point l2 and terminating in a bore l3. These recesses thus prepared at It and II provide a slide-way 4 M on either side of the remaining shank l and thus maintain the reamer bits in operative position. These reamer bits consist of a body with a rounded head, brought to a sharp cutting edge. Both reamers are shown in side elevation in Figure 3 and in cross section in Figure 4. The body IS, with the rounded head I! and, as is apparent from Figures 1 and 3 enable the reamers to project outwardly from the tool when in' operation. For the purpose of slidably holding the reamers in position, each reamer has formed thereon a projection l8 and by means of the links l9 are connected to a relatively large and strong spring 20. This spring is secured to the walls of the bore l3 by means of the pin 2|.

In Figure 1 the reamers areshown projected outwardly below the bottom of the casing C, the drill bit and the reamer both being in operation. When desirous of removing the reamer it is only necessary to pull upward on the string, whereupon the rounded head of the reamer bits will be moved inward with the edges |'|a resting against the inner walls of the casing C. This lower position is shown by broken lines in Figure 3. To maintain these reamers in position as they are moved upwardly and downwardly they are provided with the slots S in connection with the pins P. Spring catches complete the assembly.

In the operation of the combination reamer when it is used for reaming out the bore for the casing C, a tool is placed in the indentations 23 and the reamer bits moved to the position shown in the broken line position, in Figure 3. This brings the lower ends of the reamers just above the catches 22, whereupon the catches are lifted from the point 22-11 to bring the points 22b into the small slots 23-11 of the reamer bits. A strong cord or the like may then be tied around the catches to hold them with their points within the casing, and after placed in the casing the cord is out or released. This will permit the reamers to spring outwardly as explained before by the contraction of the spring 20.

The reamer can be used simultaneously with the drill bit to prepare the hole for the casing as the drill bit proceeds. .It is also possible to utilize this tool when in an inverted position to pull liners and casings, by the simple process of allowing the reamer bits to slip under the end of the casing and then withdrawing the same. Where the drill bit is not used a plug 8-11 is utilized to close the threaded opening where the bit is attached.

While the disclosure presents a practical working embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that modifications and alterations may be made therein in keeping with intent thereof connected to said blades by a pair of links and arranged to urge said blades into upward and expanded position, a slot adjacent the lower portion of each of said cutter blades, and a spring actuated catch arranged to removably engage each of said slots when said blades are moved to downward position against the tension of said first named spring means.

FINERS F. HODGES. 

